Tuesday, September 10, 2013

This is super late for me to be posting this haul! But three months ago I placed my first order on BrandsExclusive.com.au, which is an Australian online website with discounted clothing, homewares, cosmetics etc. of up to 70% off RRP. Sometimes they have well-known popular brands such as Lee, Guess, and Aussie labels such as Hunt No More, All About Eve, and sometimes they have a lot of random brands I've never heard of.

I always browse through the website just for fun, but nothing has ever really caught my eye. The great thing about Brands Exclusive is that when there is a 'sale', it's not really a 'sale on everything that doesn't fit you'. There's often stock on every clothing size and every shoe size even if it's low, which I really appreciate because I hate browsing through things and finding that my size is always blanked out from being out of stock!

Anyway I guess that doesn't really matter since this haul is on jewellery, but in terms of clothing and shoes they usually have all sizes :) I was super excited when I saw the listing for Low Luv on Brands Exclusive, because it's just one of my favourite jewellery lines ever and I love every single piece! A lot of the stock there was old stock that's sold out everywhere, but I don't care as I have been following the Low Luv collection for years and in my opinion they are all timeless.

In total, the order costed $109.86, inclusive of $9.90 shipping. If I had paid everything at its full price, not even considering shipping costs, then that would've been a saving of $339 - 99.96 = $239.04!

I was very pleased with the quality of all the products I got, although I find it weird that the coin post ring was so much tighter than the circle moonstone ring, when I got the same size (6/S). The coin post ring feels more like a 5 and the moonstone ring is kind of like a large 6. However I'm super pleased with the discounts I got on each item. Looking up all of these items I still find them being sold at full price at online boutiques here and there.

I placed my order back in late June, but Brands Exclusive only shipped my items out in mid-July. On the second of July they ordered from the supplier, on the 16th they received the goods, and on the 18th they shipped it out to me. I'm not sure if all orders from Brands Exclusive take as long as this, but I wasn't expecting to receive my items a month after placing my order. But I guess with these online shopping websites that need to wait for stock from various suppliers, you should always anticipate some delay.

Daiso

oil blotting paper, body sponge

Some purchases from Daiso! I always have to come out of the store with something! Since our spring this year is super hot for some reason, I definitely need to stock up on oil blotting paper. I use them on a daily basis now. This one has a lovely rose scent to it!

And how adorable is this body sponge?? my excuse is that I have short arms (for my height) and I have trouble getting to my back when in the shower, so I need a sponge with extensions like this one...but I got this mostly because of the cute face hehe.

Sportsgirl

Aztec fringe backpack ($30?), studded bucket bag $20

I had been eyeing the Aztec fringe backpack for a while but I can't really justify a $60 price tag! especially since I already have a bunch of backpacks. But whenever something I've liked for ages drops in price, I NEED to have it!

Also got this studded bucket bag on sale, for $20. I already have a similar studded bucket bag from Sportsgirl but it was in black, and the tan colour makes a huge difference 'kay.

Mootta also kindly sent me this gorgeous silk blouse with leather trim on the collar. It's like a divine mix of elegance and biker chic! Absolutely love how soft and beautiful the 100% silk material is on my skin, and how versatile the blouse is for work and also a night out. In this outfit I wore it for a night out occasion, with bronze sequin shorts and black pump heels :)

Mootta are a South Korean online clothing store, featuring South Korean fashion designers and brands, and also stocks Korean makeup brands such as Missha, Etude House and Tony Moly! :) they ship worldwide as well! Mootta offer free shipping on every order over $50!

Frank body coffee scrub

Frank Coffee Scrub $14.95 (link here)
I've heard so much hype over these scrubs! My Instagram has been full of people who look like they've had too much fun rolling around in the dirt, and something about it appealed to me- not sure why! Anyway I gave in and purchased a bag from the website.

Apparently the Frank coffee scrub is full of minerals and essential oils for smooth, supple skin, and antioxidants to treat stretch marks, scars, and acne. The roasted and ground Arabica coffee beans act as a natural exfoliant, and the caffeine content when massaged into the skin, actually stimulates blood flow and circulation.

You dampen your skin and use two handfuls of scrub to cover your body, and massage your body. I massage it especially harder on my butt and thighs for the cellulite-kicking properties to work more effectively. I then left it on for about 5 minutes (I could probably leave it on for longer but I get so bored and impatient lol!)
I dropped a fair bit by accident on the bathroom floor, and it looks like I just knocked over a plant with soil spilt on it!

After rinsing it off in the shower, there was an oily residue left but the instruction advise you to rinse off excess oil with a light body wash. So, I did that with my new super cute Daiso sponge lol.

Then I hopped out of the shower and my skin felt sooo smooth! My skin is always pretty rough and dry (I'm super lazy) so this was a very positive difference that Frank made. As for removing cellulite, I noticed a slight difference in appearance! I honestly have low hopes for any product that claims to remove cellulite, so I'm quite happy with the small difference it made!

Pros:

smells amazing!! The smell of fresh coffee beans! LOVE

makes your skin smooth

inexpensive
slight difference to my cellulite!

Cons:

can get messy in the bathroom
not everyone likes the smell of coffee

Overall I would recommend this scrub, but this is the first one I've tried so I have no idea if there's something better out there. For my first one, this was quite a positive experience though! The smell of the coffee beans is just so beautiful, and combined with the super smooth skin I get afterwards, makes a winning combination in my opinion :) (this is not a sponsored post!)

Bright Pink Lipstick Day
This is a heads up on Bright Pink Lipstick Day, happening on Fri 19th September! Pink Hope are an organisation that helps raise awareness of breast and ovarian cancer, and encourages us women to be proactive and vigilant about getting our checkups. Wear bright pink lipstick on Friday the 19th of September to show your support :)

this is a tropical bird print romper from Sabo Skirt! Bought this a while ago but never had the chance to take it out! As we're heading for a scorching spring in Sydney I think it's time to bring it out :)

PS:
sorry for the bad quality on some of these pictures! I have been finding so little time and opportunity to take photos these days. Even though work has quietened down and I have taken some days off, there's just so much for me to do still! And my eyebags have turned wild lol. Anyway, I hope all is well with everyone! :)

I've been soo curious about those coffee scrubs too, but like you, I'm always so skeptical about their claims & they're hard to get a hold of here too - so I wasn't sure it was worth the hassle! I don't think I'd be able to use that sponge, it's too cute! I'd just leave it sitting in my bathroom so as not to ruin it! Hah! Also, very jealous of your Low Luv haul, those prices! Such a steal!

you got such nice items!!I really love that last dress you got and that sponge is too cute!! I don't think I would be able to use it a sponge! hehe I think I would use it as decoration in my bathroom lol

I'm so jealous you guys have a Daiso there! I went to Daiso at least twice a week when I was in Japan. I'm just curious, I know you've mentioned Hop Shop Go which ship items from US -> AUS, but do you know of any similar services but the other way around?

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